Chia, hemp and flax seed question...

[cava]

I put these three things in my yogurt and I would like to let them lick the bowl, or not get beaten up for my bowl after I'm finished eating it. Is this something they can have in small, "stuck to the side of the bowl" amounts or not? I haven't yet, but wondering for the future.

Thanks!

[Diggie's Friend]

Are these oils, or seeds, or a combo of both? If it was just the chia (oil) I would say it is ok, yet if your squirrels don't require a support like CBD I wouldn't allow them to lick it. Flax is goitrogenic, not one I support giving to rodents that have a sensitive thyroid when it comes to these compounds. This is why I included chia for the squirrel diet, as it also has a positive Omega 3 to Omega 6 values as you know.

[Mel1959]

My dwarf squirrel has consumed chia seed that is mixed in with some flavors of baby food and my other squirrels have consumed flax seed that was mixed into their boo balls without any ill effects. I’ve never used the hemp.

Unless there is something toxic to squirrels in the hemp, I would say it was fine to let them have it in moderation.....like stuck to the side of the bowl. :grin3

[Diggie's Friend]

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/11/29/hemp-seed-the-misaligned-misunderstood-food-that-is-possibly-one-of-the-healthiest-on-the-planet.htm


Hemp seeds contain less than three-tenths of 1 percent of THC, the compound that produces the "high" associated with marijuana (which contains anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent THC).


HTC, the compound in hemp that has halucinigenic properties, is low in the seed. As for the amount hard to say if it would effect a rodent which notably have a better absorption capability than that of humans.

[cava]

Ok, thanks guys! It is actual seeds, not oil. I add them for the omega 3's and protein where I can get it. I am striving to educate myself (more than the nutrition class I took in college) about brain and gut health (and overall health) and I've been adding these to my yogurt at night. It's just fun to give them the bowl to lick, but since I wasn't sure I've been adding a little dish of seed free yogurt for them to lick, all their own.

[Rocky1]

Remember that smaller creatures are far more sensitive to most substances than people. If anything has the potential of even weak drug-like properties, start small if at all. I would be skeptical of hemp.

Additionally, it might build up in one's system over time; so even if no problem at first, possibly a problem later as it accumulates...

[cava]

Great point!!

[Diggie's Friend]

I thought to post this an additional info on Chia seeds. Black Chia seeds are noted to be very high in oxalates. I have been looking into white chia to see if they are lower, as typically what is white in color is low in oxalates. For example, both black and red pepper seeds are very high in oxalates, yet white pepper is low. Should I find definitive data on the white chia seed I will try to remember to post it here so that this issue can be clarified. Should ou presently use black chia seed in squirrel diet it would be prudent to switch to the organic while chia seeds that may not be as high in oxalates as the black seeds have been found to be. CaOx is known to promote kidney and bladder stone formation in rats.